Defending champions Exeter Chiefs demonstrated their title credentials by beating Premiership leaders Bristol and ending their six-match winning run.

Jacques Vermeulen stretched their 15-5 half-time lead just before the hour as Bears spurned good field position.

Luke Morahan went over for Bristol's second try late but Exeter won to close the gap to the leaders to eight points.

Rob Baxter's side have lost just one of their past six league matches and the win was also a psychological blow in the Devonians' favour ahead of what could be June's Premiership final.

British & Irish Lions coaches Warren Gatland and Neil Jenkins were among those watching from the stands as a number of players looked to press their claims for a place on the tour to South Africa.

Exeter number eight Sam Simmonds was among those to catch the eye but it was the Bears who struck first.

A fine flowing move, which began from their own 22 through Charles Piutau, also involved Niyi Adeolokun and Piers O'Conor before Uren shook off O'Flaherty's tackle from 25 metres out to sprint to the line.

Flanker Skinner drew Chiefs level with a trademark pick-and-go finish after 15 phases of possession and they led as Simmonds' burst through the middle set O'Flaherty free for his seventh try in the past seven games.

The visitors were able to increase that lead midway through the second half when back row Vermeulen powered over to score their third try after Bears spurned decent field position at their set piece on numerous occasions.

Winger Morahan did go over for a second try after Piutau found him with a neat pass but even that was not enough to claim a losing bonus point.

Bristol: Piutau; Adeolokun, O'Conor, Bedlow, Morahan; Malins, Uren; Y Thomas, Byrne, Sinckler, Attwood, Vui, Luatua (capt), D Thomas, Heenan.

Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Afoa, Joyce, Harding, Kessell, Lloyd, Leiua.

Exeter: Hogg; Nowell, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds (capt), Maunder, Moon, Cowan-Dickie, Francis, Gray, Hill, S Skinner, Vermeulen, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Yeandle, Hepburn, Williams, Lonsdale, Capstick, Townsend, H Skinner, Whitten.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).